Fences, Broadway Show

Celebrated and influential writer August Wilson’s “Fences” is all set to be revived on the Broadway again. Wilson, two times winner of the Pulitzer Prize, is probably one of the most successful and powerful playwrights focusing on African American issues in 20^th century America. “Fences” is part of the 10-play cycle that throws light on the experiences of the blacks during the time in American history that was the toughest for them. According to the leading actress Viola Davis, “Fences” centers on human sentiments like “hope, love, dreams, fatherhood, and death.” Wilson is also the author of “The Piano Lesson,” “Ma Rainy’s Black Bottom,” “King Hedley II,” “Seven Guitars,” “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” “Jitney,” “Two Trains Running,” and “Radio Golf,” to name a few of his works.

The original Broadway production of “Fences” was performed in 1987 and starred James Earl Jones, Mary Alice, and Courtney B. Vance in the lead roles. It won both the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The original production holds the distinction for being the longest running of all of Wilson’s plays on Broadway with more than 500 performances.

In the revival of Fences, Denzel Washington, two-time Academy Award winner for “Glory” and “Training Day,” is taking on the role of the patriarchal Troy Maxson. He confesses to having watched the original production and, in his own words, he was “blown away by James Earl Jones and Mary Alice in the original production.” Washington’s last appearance on Broadway was in 2005, when he played the role of Brutus in a revival of “Julius Caesar.”

His co-star, Viola Davis, who plays the role of his wife in this play, has already starred in two other Wilson plays – “Seven Guitars” and “Kings Headley II.” The latter won her a featured-actress Tony Award in 2001.

The production will open April 26 at the Cort Theater and preview performances will begin on April 14. The production is being directed by Kenny Leon who was associated with two Wilson plays, “Radio Golf” and “Gem of the Ocean,” on the Broadway in the same capacity. The producers for this play are Carole Shorenstein Hays and Scott Rudin. Tickets will be priced between $60.00 and $125.00 and the show timings are as follows:

Monday            Dark

Tuesday            7:00 PM

Wednesday     2:00 PM & 8:00 PM

Thursday         8:00 PM

Friday               8:00 PM

Saturday          2:00 PM & 8:00 PM

Sunday             3:00 PM

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